Councilman Defends Use of Document in Public Debate
Municipal councilor Francesco Strippoli recently issued a statement clarifying his use of a Finance Department (GdF) document during a November 29th city council meeting. The document, relating to ongoing criminal proceedings concerning the assignment of urban hygiene services in Amiu Puglia, sparked debate due to its sensitive nature.
Transparency and Public Interest
Strippoli asserts that he quoted only sections of the document he believed to be publicly accessible, citing the document’s purported removal from investigative secrecy. He maintains that his quote was carefully chosen and limited to passages essential for addressing a matter of significant local and public interest.
“My role as a councilor includes ensuring transparency and protecting the community’s right to information,” Strippoli stated.
He emphasized that he omitted personal and sensitive details, adhering to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Italian Privacy Code to protect individual privacy.
Strippoli highlighted that portions of the document had already been analyzed by other news outlets, suggesting that these sections were already in the public domain.
Responding to Criticism
Strippoli vehemently denies accusations of disclosing confidential information.
“My actions were conducted with the utmost integrity and respect for regulations governing access to and dissemination of judicial and administrative documents. Any alternative interpretations are unfounded and fail to acknowledge the due diligence I exercised before making these matters public,” he argued.
He further underscored the importance of open discussion and citizen engagement in local governance:
“Municipal councilors should be empowered to bring important issues to the attention of both the council and the public, especially when potential irregularities or inappropriate actions may have occurred in the past. The suppression of legitimate concerns through fear or silence ultimately harms the community we serve.”
Legal Proceedings Underway
Strippoli’s statement comes after a previous report, which verbatim stated:
‘The document shown in the courtroom by Strippoli dated 18 July 2024 is a communication of news of a crime pursuant to art. 347 cpp, in which the judicial police, in this case the Finance Department, reports the elements collected to the deputy prosecutor. It precedes the notice of conclusion of the investigations: the notices of investigation, in fact, arrived in October. Therefore, it would no longer be covered by investigative secrecy. However, it is an internal communication between the offices, an act that could not be disclosed, but is now under investigation.”
It is important to note that the legal proceedings related to these allegations are ongoing.
What specific details from the Finance Department document did Councilman Strippoli reference during the council meeting?
## Interview with Councilman Francesco Strippoli
**Interviewer:** Councilman Strippoli, thanks for joining us today. You’ve been in the news recently regarding your use of a Finance Department document during a council meeting. Could you clarify the situation for our viewers?
**Strippoli:** Certainly. During the November 29th city council meeting, I referenced a document from the Finance Department pertaining to the ongoing investigation into the Amiu Puglia urban hygiene services contract. Some have questioned my use of this document, but I want to be very clear: I believe I acted responsibly and in the best interests of the public.
**Interviewer:** Why did you feel it was necessary to bring this document into the public domain?
**Strippoli:** My primary role as a councilor is to ensure transparency and advocate for the community’s right to know. The Amiu Puglia case is a matter of significant local concern, and the information contained in this document, which I believe had already been partially publicized by various news outlets, sheds light on crucial details relevant to our citizens.
**Interviewer:** Some critics suggest that using a document potentially related to an ongoing investigation is inappropriate. How do you respond to that?
**Strippoli:** I assure you, I am fully aware of the sensitivity surrounding this matter. I only quoted sections of the document that I believed were publicly available, and I specifically avoided any mention of personal or sensitive information. My intention was to discuss the broader issues at play, not to divulge confidential details.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that you believe portions of this document were already in the public domain. Can you elaborate on that?
**Strippoli:** Yes, I am aware that some media outlets have already analyzed parts of this document. I believe this further reinforces the concept of public interest in this information, and my intention was to contribute to a broader public discourse on the Amiu Puglia situation.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Councilman Strippoli, for your insights.
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